Pneumatic dispatch system



ys'sheets-sneu' 1 w w25@ L30 ZOEEOO Xw?, iwwll,

A. L. EssELBURN ETAL PNEUMATIC DISPATCH sYsTM Filed oct. 5f. 1949- March 17, 1.942..

March l7-1942'A I A. 1 .Essr-:LBRN Erm. 2,276,473

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEMv Film1-oet. s', 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mrh17,`1942. A L. ESSELBURN Em. 2,276,473

' PNEUMATIC DISPATCH'SYSTEM 'Filed oct. 3, 1940 s sheets-sheet 5 J'ZM Patented Mar. 17, 1942 PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Alvin L. Esselburn and Edward J. Connolly,

Syracuse, N. Y., assignors to Lamson Corporation, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 3, 1940, Serial No. 359,608

20 Claims. y (Cl. 243-23) This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic dispatch systems of the character employing a plurality of receiving stations connected in series relation in a single tube line and, with regard to its more specific aspects, to means for selectively controlling from a central dispatch station the destination of a carrier to any one of the receiving stations connected in the line.

Heretofore, control of the destination of Carriers in tube systems of the loop or single line type has to a large extent been effected mechanically and, speaking generally, depends on the construction or configuration of carriers used therewith. Thus, in systems where carrier destination has been controlled by the configuration of the carrier head, two types of head, one .plain and the other recessed, have been employed, either of which determines carrier destination by engagement with station terminal mechanisms responding to one or the other types of head, thereby to separate a carrier from the line at the selected receiving station. Such a means of control, while satisfactory for certain usages, is capable of serving only two outlying receiving stations, and requires that the operator at a central station will dispatch a particular carrier for a particular receiving station. Where other means of controlling distribution have been employed, such as by settable pins or equivalent carried by or otherwise organized with the carriers to be dispatched and which operate the selected receiving station mechanisms, the same or similar requirements, either of dispatching a particular carrier to a particular receiving station or of the operator at the dispatch station appropriately setting the carrier pins to correspond to the particular receiving station at which separation of the carrier from the line is to be effected, must be satised to obtain the desirable destination control.

As distinguished from prior destination control means, the present invention contemplates a novel and improved means for controlling carrier destination which is wholly independent of carrier or carrier head construction and which is thus capable of serving any number of receiving stations with carriers of a single type, and which further requires no specialized manipula tion of carriers, carrier pins or equivalent by the operator at the dispatch station. To this end, each of the receiving station terminals, which may be of the conventional type having a carrier discharge opening and a valve normally closing the same, is provided with its own valve control means by which the valve is conditioned for the terminal into the continuing or upstreamportion of the line. The valve control means of all of the terminals are selectively operable from a common station which is preferably the.

central dispatch station from which the carriers are dispatched for transport through the line. By this arrangement and organization of system parts, the operator at the central station is enabled in exceedingly simple manner selectively to control the distribution of the carriers by energizing from his dispatch station any one of the control valve units of the several outlying receiving stations whereupon a carrier in transit, upon reaching the selected station to which it is destined, is separated from the line.

So that the operator, upon dispatch of a carrier to a particular receiving station, may be ad- Vised of the delivery oi the carrier at the selected station, the present invention further provides signal means which indicate to the operator that the carrier is in transit and hence that the system is in use, such signal meansbeing effective until the so dispatched carrier has been delivered at the particular receiving station to which it is destined.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the following analysis of this invention -wherein is illustrated an embodiment of the invention in detail. y

In the drawings: l

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic layout of a tube system and control means therefor in accordance with the present invention; f

Fig. 2 is a side elevation and Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a receiving terminal having associated therewith a terminal valve control unit in accordance with the present invention; y

Fig. 4 is a broken-away detail illustrating the relative position of the valve and valve latch upon energization of the valve control unit associated therewith;

Fig. 4A is a detail illustrating the valve latching elements in their separated position;

Fig. 5 is a part section 'through the' terminal and its valve, to illustrate the manner in which a carrier in transit is by-passed through the terninal to the continuing portion of the line; an y i Fig. 6 is a section through the valve hinge, the valve being in its open position to illustrate the construction of the latch operating arm.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for purpose of illustration herein, there is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 a single line tube systern of the closed loop type connected through an air supply line to a blower, the carrier inlet to the line at the Central Station being indicated as such and the general layout of the tube run and the direction of carrier travel being indicated by the directional arrows. In the Common Outgoing Line are connected in series relation a plurality of receiving terminals T, one at each of the receiving 'stations designated Station No. l, Station No. 2, `and Station No. 3. It will be understood that the illustrated number of stations and terminals thereat is suggestive of any desired number of receiving stations, Which of course depends upon the requirements of a particular installation. The terminals T are each mounted above a receiving desk located at the station on which is arranged a basket to receive carriers delivered through the terminals. Each of the station desks also has mounted thereon an inlet dispatch head I-I connected in the Common Return Line through which carriers may be returned to the central station.

Inasmuch as the tube system generally described in the foregoing is more or less conventional, no detailed description thereof is given, nor is any claim made herein to the system eX- cept as it enters into the combinations to be hereinafter described.

Referring to Fig. 2 the terminals T are preferably of the standard Lamson design, although other equivalent forms of terminals may be employed. Each of the receiving terminals comprises an inlet leg l into which is connected a vertical run of the Outgoing Tube Line, the inlet leg leading to a body enclosure Il having a carrier discharge opening normally closed by a valve V, and a by-pass leg I2 into which is connected a Vertical run of the Outgoing Line and through which carriers by-passed in the terminal are returned to the line.

The terminals aforesaid are each arranged to separate from the line a carrier destined for a particular receiving station, and to pass the carriers through terminals in advance-of the selected station at which delivery is to be effected. Thus a carrier bound for Station No. 3, for example, will pass through the receiving terminals of Stations No. I and No. 2 without separation thereat, but upon reaching the selected Station No. 3 will in automatic manner be discharged from the terminal thereof into the receiving basket at that station.

Considering now the construction of the terminal valves, reference is made to Figs. 2-6 wherein the valve V is shown as comprised by a leather clapper carried by a hinge plate 2! having spaced ears 22a, 22h, through which extends a hinge spindle 24 journaled for rotation in bearings 25 formed in the terminal wall adjacent the terminal discharge opening. O-ne hinge plate ear 22a is provided with a squared opening to receive the shouldered square end 26 formed on the spindle 24 at one end thereof and from which extends the exteriorly threaded extension 21 for a holding nut 28. A torsion spring 3u wrapped around the nut and having one end fixed thereto tov rotate with the nut and spindle and the other end secured to the housing by A:a

screw 3| (Fig. 3) biases the valve to its closed position, it being understood that the valve assembly including spindle 24 is mounted for turning movement about the axis of the spindle.

By reference to Fig. 6 the other end of the spindle 24 is interiorly threaded to receive the end of a boli; 34 which carries a cam 35 spaced from the hinge plate ear 22b through the medium of a spacing bushing 36. The function of cam 35 will be hereinafter described, it being understood that movement of the valve to its open position imparts rotary movement to cam 35 in a clockwise direction (Figs. 2 and 4).

Means for positively latching the valve V in its closed position are provided, such preferably comprising a latch member generally in the natureof a bell-crank, having a sleeve 4I free to turn on pin 42 against the bias of spring 43. One arm of the bellcrank latch member has a latching end 45 adapted to hook over a tongue 46 formed on or otherwise carried by a carrier pusher arm 41. The pusher arm is provided at its lower end with spaced ears 49 through which spindle 24 extends, the pusher arm being free to turn on spindle 24 against the bias of spring 50. The pusher arm 41 extends generally upwardly and has its upper end offset as at 5| to provide a smooth and continuous pushing end adapted when actuated to its dotted line position (Fig. 5) to engage a carrier as will be hereinafter explained. Normally, pusher arm 41 is maintained in its retracted position in housing recess 52 in which it bears against a stop screw 53.

The other arm of the latch member 4d is oilset laterally as at 55 and terminates in an up- Wardly extending operating end 55. With the construction so far described, it will be appreciated that valve V is maintained in its normal closed position both by the bias of spring 30 and by the positive latching effect as provided by hook end 45 of the latch member and its co operation with tongue 46 of the pusher arm 41. Limited opening of the valve is permitted without disturbing the latching cooperation between parts 45 and 4B, such limited opening resulting in limited clockwise movement of pusher arm 41 to its dotted line position (Fig. 5). The arrangement is further such that the latch member 40 can turn independently of the valve proper in clockwise direction on the axis of pin 42 in response to downward force exerted on the operating end 56 of the latch member. As the latch member is turned independently of the valve as aforesaid the hook end 45 thereof separates from the latch tongue 4S and the positively latched relationship of valve and terminal is interrupted.

Each terminal is provided with' its own valve control unit functioning when energized to effect unlatching of latch member 40 from pusher arm 41. Each such control unit preferably includes a solenoid S for operating a plunger SP which is normally maintained in its up position by a spring 60 operating against bracket 6| but which, upon energization of the solenoid S, is projected downwardly. vPlunger SP is arranged to vertically align with the operating end 55 of the latch member 40. The control unit further includes a normally closed switch SVV--l and a normally open switch SW-Z. Preferably, switches SW-l and SW-2 are of the so-called Micro type as disclosed in the McGall United States Patent No. 1,960,020, dated May 22, 1934, being respectively provided with the spring blades 53, 55 operative when depressed to actuate the buttons or plungers 64, 66. Spring blade 63 of the normally closed switch SW-I is depressed upon turning movement of spindle-actuated cam to a position corresponding to the approximate full-open position of the valve V as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, whereupon switch SW-l is broken. Normally open switch SW-2 is closed upon engagement of its spring blade 65 by a spring `arm 68 carried by the plunger SP, the arrangement being such' that, as plunger SP moves to its lowermost position, its arm 68 engages blade 65 and presses the same against push button or plunger 65, thus making a circuit through the switch SW-2.v

Preferably, the control unit parts including the solenoid S and its plunger SP, together with the switches SW-l and SW--Z are mounted on a holding plate 10 secured to one side of the terminal and relatively above its discharge opening. The plate 'l0 may also carry a terminal block 'H on which' are arranged terminals 12 to which lead-in wires to the control unit parts may be connected.

As forecast in the preceding description, each of the receiving terminals T is provided with its valve control unit as aforesaid, and energization of any one of said units is effected from the central station through individual circuits as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. l. trol station is arranged a control panel CP for push button switches in number corresponding to Station No. 2, and PS-3 controls energization of solenoid S of the control unit ofStation No. 3. The control panel CP also provides a mount for signal lights SL-I, SL-2 and SL--3 in series, respectively, with the normally open switches SW-Z of the controlunits of StationsNos. 1, 2 and 3. The signal lights are each adapted to be energized immediately following actuation of a corresponding switch button to indicate to the operator that the system is in use, and that the carrier dispatched is in transit to a selected receiving station. Hence th'e operator will be advised thereby not to dispatch another carrier until the carrier in transit has been separated from the line at the selected receiving station.

To illustrate the operation of the various control circuits and the manner in which their energization in turn energizes the control units associated with each of the terminal valves, let it be assumed that the operator at the central station desires to dispatch a carrier to Station No. 2. The operator momentarily presses push button PS-Z and then inserts a carrier into the system inlet adjacent which the control panel is located. A circuit is now closed from ysupply main X, conductors 8i), 8l, 82, 83, solenoid S, conductor 8'4, switch SW|, and conductors 85, 85, to the other side Y of the supply main. Upon energization of solenoid S of Station No. 2, its plunger SP moves downwardly against spring 60 and engages the operating end 56 of the latch member 40, thereby to turn said latch member clockwise (Figs. 4 and 4A) and to eiect unlatch'ing of the termina-l valve which is now conditioned for opening under carrier impact.

'Ihe downward movement of plunger SP effects the closing of the normally open switch SW-Z and thereby closes a holding or maintaining circuit for the solenoid S which can be traced from the supply lead X as follows: Conductors 88, 89,

At the conswitch SW-2, conductor 83, solenoid S, switch 75 Vstream side thereof.

SW-l, and conductors 85, 86, to the other side Y of the supply main. Simultaneously with the closing of the holding circuit, there is established a branch circuit through the signal light SL-Z, as follows: Conductors 88, 89, switch SW2, conductors 82, 8l, 80, 90, and 9|, t0 the return side Y of the supply main.

The holding circuit through th'e solenoid S is maintained until switch SW-l is opened, and the branch circuit for light SL--Z is maintained so long as solenoid S is energized. Thus, for the interval that light SL-2 remains lit, the operator is advised that the system is in use, that the delivery operation at the terminal of Station No. 2 has not been completed and, moreover, that no other carriers should be dispatched.

Upon the carrier reaching the selected terminal of Station No. 2, it impacts the valve thereof, which has been previously conditioned for operation by the initial energization of solenoid S, with sufficient force as to move the same to its full open or substantially full open position VO, as indicated in dotted lines (Fig. 4), and the carrier is discharged therefrom as indicated in Fig. 2, falling into the station receiving basket. As the valve opens, its spindle 24 is rotated to turn cam 35 clockwise into engagement with spring blade 63 of switch SW-l, thereby to open the same. The maintaining circuit through the solenoid is accordingly broken and plunger SP returns to its uppermost position. In so doing, arm 63 is disengaged from blade 55 of switch SW-Z, and the latter opens to break the circuit of signal light SI1- 2. The operator is thereby advised that the system is ready for the dispatch of another carrier.

Following opening of the valve under carrier impact as aforesaid, the valve snaps closed under the pull of spring 36. As the valve closes, the latching end of the latch member 40 inter-locks with tongue 46, whereupon the valve following discharge of the carrier from its terminal is again positively latched closed and remains so latched until unlatched by the next energization of the solenoid of the controlI unit associated therewith.

The valve assembly as described also functions to assist in the by-passing of a carrier through an unselected station, as will be indicated upon a consideration of Fig. 5, and under the assumption that the terminal there partly indicated is one positioned at an unselected station through which the carrier must pass to arrive at the selected terminal to which it is destined. At the unselected station the carrier enters the terminal enclosure and drops on to the closed valve which is maintained latched as the solenoid S of the control unit thereof is de-energized. Under the carrier impact, the valve may open a limited amount to its dotted line position, designated VC, and in so opening pulls pusher arm 41 through its latched connection therewith to its carrier pushing position, as indicated in dotted lines. The pushing end of the arm 4T throughout such movementv engages against the carrier and pushes the same over into the by-pass leg l2 of the terminal, whereupon it returns to the Outgoing Line for discharge at a station on the up- Following such limited opening of the valve under the impact of the carrier, it snaps back to closed position, both under the urge of spring 30 and the vacuum in the line, such return movement of the valve assisting the pusher arm 41 in tipping the carrier to effect ley-passing thereof.

ated from a control station conveniently located adjacent the central station of the system from which the carriers are dispatched.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim:

1. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve normally closing the same and arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit comprising, in combination, means operatively related to each terminal for rendering its valve effective to by-pass carriers through the terminal, and selectively operable means for rendering ineffective any one of said last-named means, thereby to permit discharge of a carrier from any one terminal.

2. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve normally closing the same and arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit comprising, in combination, means operatively related to each terminal for positively latching its valve in closed position in which the valve functions to by-pass carriers through the terminal to the line, and selectively operable means at the central station for rendering ineffective any one of said latching means whereby a valve whose latching means has been rendered ineffective may open under impact of a carrier.

3. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve normally closing the same and arranged to be impacted by the carriers in transit comprising, in combination, means operatively related to each terminal for positively latching its valve against full opening movement but providing for limited opening thereof under carrier impact, normally retracted carrier pushing means movable in response to limited opening movement of the valve as aforesaid to an operative position at which it engages a carrier impacting the valve and directs it through the terminal to the line, and selectively operable means at the central station for rendering ineffective any one of said latching means whereby a terminal valve whose latching means has been rendered ineffective may move to full open position under impact of a carrier.

4. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers-torany one of --a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a4 single dispatch tube line, each terminal includ- -ing a carrier discharge lopening and a valve normally closing the same and arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit comprising, in combination, 'means operatively related to each terminal for positively 'latching its valve in substantially closed position including a latch member carried by the valve and a carrier pushing member disposed Within the terminal having normal interlocking engagement therewith, the pushing member being movable with the valve upon carrier impact therewith from a retracted position to a carrier engaging position in which it directs the carrier impacting the valve through the terminal to the line, and selectively operable means at the central station for rendering ineffective any one of said latching means whereby an unlatched valve may open under impact of a carrier.

5. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve therefor arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit and being operative when maintained closed under carrier impact to by-pass carriers through the terminal comprising, in combination, means operatively related to each terminal valve for maintaining the valve closed under carrier impact, a normally ineffective control unit operatively related to each terminal Valve for conditioning said valve for opening movement under carrier impact, and selectively operable means at the central station for rendering any one of the control units effective, whereby a valve conditioned for opening as aforesaid opens under carrier impact to discharge the carrier from the selected terminal.

6. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving vterminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve therefor arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit and being operative when maintained in closed position under carrier impact to by-pass carriers through the terminal, comprising, in combination, means operatively related to each terminal for positively latching its valve in closed position, a normally de-energized control unit for each valve latching means adapted when energized to render said latching means ineffective and thereby condition said valve for opening movement under carrier impact, and selectively operable means at the central station for energizing any one of the terminal valve control units.

7. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve therefor arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit and being operative when maintained in closed position under carrier impact to by-pass carriers through the terminal, comprising, in combination, means operatively related to each terminal for positively latching its valve in closed position, a normally de-energized control unit for each valve latching means-adapted when energized to render said latching means ineffective and thereby condition said valve for opening movement under carrier impact, selectively operable means atthe central station forenergizinganyfone of the terminal valve control units, and means for indicating at the central station the duration of energization of the control unit of the selected station.

8. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve normally closing said openingV and arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit, comprising, in combination, means associated with each of said terminals for latching the valve thereof against full opening movement but providing for limited opening thereof under carrier impact and including a normally retracted member movable in response to limited valve opening as aforesaid into a position in which it directs a carrier impacting the valve through the terminal to the line, a normally de-energized control unit for each valve adapted when energized to render said latching means ineffective thereby to condition the valve for full opening movement under car rier impact, and selectively operable means at the central station for energizing any one of the control units.

9. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve normally closing said opening and arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit, comprising, in combination, latching means associated with each of said terminals for maintaining the valve thereof in closed position, each said means including a latch carried by the valve and a carrier pushing member normally interlocked therewith, said member being movable under impact of a carrier on the latched valve from a retracted to an operative position in which it directs the impacting carrier through the terminal to the line,

a normally de-energized control unit operatively related to said latching means adapted when energized to render said latching means ineffective, thereby to condition the unlatched valve for opening under impact of the carrier, and selectively operable means at the central station for energizing any one of said control units.

l0. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve therefor arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit and being operative when maintained in closed position under carrier impact to by-pass carriers through the terminal, comprising, in combination, means operatively related to each terminal for positively latching its valve in closed position, an electrical control unit for each valve including a solenoid-operated plunger adapted upon energization of its solenoid to renderv said latching means ineffective, and selectively operable means at the central station for energizing the solenoid of any one of the control units, thereby to condition the valve of a selected terminal for opening under carrier impact.

l1. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve therefor arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit and being operative when maintained in closed '15 position under carrier impact yto by-pass carriersA through the terminal, comprising, iii/combination, means operatively related to each terminal for positively latching its valve in closed position, an electrical control unit for each valve including a normally de-energized solenoid adapted when energized to render said latching means ineffective, thereby to condition said valve for opening under carrier impact, a normally closed switch in series withv said solenoid, and means for opening said switch in response to valve opening, and a plurality of selectively closable circuits for said control units. v

l2. Mechanism for controlling from a central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving terminals connected-in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve normally closing the same and arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit, comprising, in combination, means operatively related to each terminal for positively latching its valve'in closed position, an electrical control unit for each valve including a solenoid adapted when energized to render'said latching means ineffective thereby to condition said valve for opening under carrier impact, a

normally closed switch in series with said sole-v noid, means for opening said switch in response to valve opening, a normally open switch, and means for closing said switch in response to solenoid energization, an energizing circuit for each of the solenoids including an operator controlled switch, and a maintaining circuit for each of the solenoids including the normally open switchjassociated therewith.

13. Mechanism for controlling froma central station the destination of carriers to any one of a plurality of receiving termina-ls connected in a single dispatch tube line, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve normally closing the same and arranged to be impacted by carriers in transit, comprising, in combination, means operatively related to each terminal for positively latching its valve in closed position, an electrical control for each valve including a solenoid adapted when energized to render said latching means ineffective, therebyto condition said Vvalve for opening under carrier impact, a normally closed switch in series with said solenoid, means for opening said switch in response to valve opening, a normally open switch, and means for closing said switch in response to solenoid energization, an energizing circuitV for each solenoid including an operator-controlled switch, a maintaining circuit for each of the' solenoids including the normally open switchassociated therewith, anda signal circuit associated/with each maintaining circuit for indicating' the duration of solenoid energization.

14. In a pneumatic dispatch system, the combination of a dispatch tube line, a plurality of receiving terminals connected therein in series relation, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve. therefor biased to its closed position and said valve being arranged so as to be impacted by carriers in transit, and a control means for each valve adapted normally to maintain its valve operative under carrier impact to by-pass the carrier through the terminal, and upon actuation to condition said valve for opening under carrier impact and selectively operable y means for actuating any one of said control means thereby to permit opening of the valve of a selected terminal under carrier impact.

15. In a pneumatic dispatch system, the comf receiving terminals connected therein in series relation, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve therefor biased to its closed position and said valve being arranged so as to be impacted by carriers in transit, valve latching means associated with each valve for maintaining its valve operative under carrier impact to by-pass the carrier through the terminal, normally de-energized latch control means operative when energized to render said latching means ineffective, and selectively operable means for energizing any one of said valve control means thereby to permit opening of the valve of a selected terminal under carrier impact.

16. In a pneumatic dispatch system, the combination of a dispatch tube line, a plurality of receiving terminals connected therein in series relation, each terminal having a carrier discharge openingv and a valve therefor biased to its closed position and said valve being arranged so as to be impacted by carriers in transit, valve latching means associated With each valve for maintaining its valve operative under carrier impact to by-pass the carrier through the terminal, normally de-energized` latch control means operative when energized to render said latching means ineffective, selectively operable means for energizing any one of said valve control means, and means for indicating the duration of energization of the selected valve control means.

17. In a pneumatic dispatch system, the cornbination of a dispatch tube line, a plurality of receiving terminals connected therein in series relation, each terminal having a carrier discharge opening and a valve therefor biased to its closed position and said valve being arranged so as to be impacted by carriers in transit, comprising normally operative Valve latching means associated with each of the terminals for maintaining the Valve thereof closed under carrier impact, said latching means including a latching member carried by said valve and a carrier pushing member normally interlocked therewith, the pushing member being movable Within the terminal in response to impact of a carrier on the valve thereof from a retracted position to van operative position in which it directs a carrier impacting the latched valve through the terminal to the line, an electrically controlled means for each latching means operative when energized to render said latching means ineiTective whereby a valve may open under carrier impact, and selectively operable means for energizing any one of said last means.

18. Carrier separating means comprising, in

bination of a dispatch tube line, a pluralityv of' combination, a receiving station terminal for carriers having a discharge opening and a valve for said opening biased to closed positionin which it is arranged to be impacted by a carrier entering the terminal, a valve latching member for latching the valve in its closed position in which it operates to by-pass the carrier through the terminal, said member having a normal latching position and being provided with an operating y l-.O /arm adapted when actuated to actuate the member to unlatching position, and remotely controlled means carried by said terminal for actuating said operating arm thereby to actuate the latching member to its unlatching position and to provide for opening of the valve under carrier impact.

19. Carrier separating means comprising, in combination, a receiving station terminal for carriers having a discharge opening and a valve for said opening biased to closed position in which it is arranged to be impacted by a carrier entering the terminal, a valve latching member for latching the valve in its closed position under carrier impact in which it operates to by-pass the carrier through the terminal, the latch member having a normal latching position and including a latching end and an operating end adapted when actuated to actuate said latching end to valve unlatching position, and remotely controlled means carried by said terminal for actuating said operating end thereby to actuate said latching end of the member to its unlatching position and to provide for opening of the valve under carrier impact.

20. Carrier separating means comprising, in combination, a receiving station terminal for carriers having a discharge opening and a valve for said opening biased to closed position in which it is arranged to be impacted by a carrier moving through the terminal, a valve latching member carried by said valve and having a normal latching position, said member including a latching end adapted for interlocking engagement with a pusher arm disposed Within the terminal and movable in response to impact of a carrier on the Valve from a retracted position to an operative position in which it by-passes the impacting carrier through the terminal, said latching member further including an operating arm adapted when actuated to actuate the member to a valve unlatching position, and remotely controlled means carried by the terminal for actuating said arm thereby to actuate said latching member to its unlatching position and to provide for opening of the valve under carrier impact.

ALVIN L. ESSELBURN. EDWARD J. CONNOLLY. 

